Withdrawing cash
With a EC Card at ATM machines of all the major banks such as ABSA, Standardbank, First National Bank, or Nedbank. Nedbank gives out the highest amount (ZAR 3.000,-).

Changing Euros to Rand
Possible at all major banks. You need a passport and about an hour time. Due to bad conversion rates and commission we do not recommend it.

Credit cards
Visa is the most common credit card and accepted almost everywhere. Many restaurants and shops also accept American Express, Diners and Mastercard.

Telephone
If you bring a unlocked mobile phone with you, you can buy a South African Sim (Cim???) card for about ZAR 100,- directly at the airport.

Doctors
There is a general practitioner in Dana Bay – Malva Street Mossel Bay: Medical Centre Tel: 0446912120

hospitals in Mossel Bay
public hospital Tel 044 6912011
privat hospital Tel 044 6913718

Vaccination
The Garden Route is malaria free.

Medical insurance
Since the EU and South Africa do not have an agreement we advise you to get a travel health insurance.

Road maps
Come for free with your car rental – detailed road maps can be found at well-stocked book stores.

Road conditions
Western Cape and Garden Route roads have European standard

Traffic
Left-hand traffic in South Africa!
There are plenty of speed traps and section control – the car rental companies belatedly charge your credit card

Only minor traffic along the Garden Route and the Western Cape. In urban centres such as Cape Town and Port Elisabeth dense traffic is possible.

Depending on the town the legal blood alcohol limit is 0,0 and 0,5

Petrol stations
Along the Garden Route and the Western Cape there are plenty of petrol stations, some of which only accept cash.

Crime
Dana Bay: none
Garden Route: very low
Cape Town: normal level found in metropolitan areas; 90% of crime happens at night and weekends in the townships of the big cities. Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban etc.

If you act as sensible tourists the risk is low. Secure your handbags, don’t let cameras or bags on the car seat, don’t wear flashy jewelry, stay away from dark streets at night.

All these links and advice were useful for us during our trips to South Africa.